CULLMAN, Ala. (WIAT) – A fire broke out early Friday morning at a building at the Oak Ridge Apartments in Cullman. Sixteen units were affected in total with two having major fire damage. The rest suffered smoke and water damage.

Three people had to be taken to the hospital and firefighters on the scene needed to rescue one person by ladder. One pet was killed in fire.

The back of the apartment building where the fire started. 2 units have heavy fire damage, they are basically gutted. pic.twitter.com/yrjGCwS48M

Officials say they believe the blaze started in one of the back apartments but they will continue to investigate. The rental company is making sure they place everyone in another apartment in a different building or different property for the time being.